The 5 Most Expensive Cities 2010

Do you think $43 is too much to pay for lunch?, you shouldn't live in Oslo. According to "ECA International", a global human resources company, that's how much an average lunch costs in Norway's capital. But Oslo is only the second-most expensive city on ECA's ranking of 399 global locations. And while the price of an average lunch in Tokyo is a comparatively modest $17.86, other costs, such as a $22 movie ticket and an $8.47 kilo of rice, earn it the dubious honor as the world's most expensive city.

ECA's ranking is based on a basket of 128 goods that includes food, daily goods, clothing, electronics, and entertainment, but not rent, utilities, and school fees, which are not typically included in a cost-of-living adjustment. ECA researchers and local partners gathered prices in September 2009 and March 2010 for domestic and imported brands that are internationally recognized—such as Kellogg's cereal or Sapporo beer. While lower-priced goods and services are available in these markets, the study estimated the cost of supporting the standard of living expected by expatriate employees, says Lee Quane, ECA's regional director for Asia. Some of the cities, such as Seoul and Stockholm, jumped up in the ranking as the local currency strengthened against the U.S. dollar. Quane says that while a slowdown in business may tempt employers to scale back compensation, "recessions only last so long" and retaining top talent in these places is critical to companies' success when the global economy recovers.

Source: "ECA International"

1. Tokyo, Japan

Rank in 2009: 2

Food: Lunch at a restaurant:$18

Can of beer from grocer:$3.37

One kg of rice: $8.47

One dozen eggs: $3.78

Entertainment: Movie ticket: $22

Appliances: Washing machine: $879

The strength of the yen has brought Tokyo back to the No. 1 spot on ECA International's ranking for the first time since 2005. In addition to the costs above, rent for a two-bedroom apartment for expats is typically more than $5,000 per month in Tokyo, according to data from EuroCost International. While visitors need more pocket money here than in any other city, the monthly consumer price index in Tokyo's wards has actually dropped year-on-year for 14 straight months as of May 2010, based on figures from Japan's statistics bureau.

2. Oslo, Norway

Rank in 2009: 8

Food: Lunch at a restaurant: $43

Can of beer from grocer: $4.71

One kg of rice: $5.66

One dozen eggs: $6.72

Entertainment: Movie ticket: $16

Appliances: Washing machine: $880

Oslo rose above Copenhagen as the most expensive city in Europe when the kroner strengthened against other currencies. ECA International says an upward trend in oil prices, a short recession, and Norway's reputation as a safe haven for investors contributed to the kroner's rise.

3. Luanda, Angola

Rank in 2009: 1

Food: Lunch at a restaurant: $47

Can of beer from grocer: $1.62

One kg of rice: $4.73

One dozen eggs: $4.75

Entertainment: Movie ticket: $13

Appliances: Washing machine: $912

Angola's capital slipped to third place this year as the kwanza depreciated. Prices in Luanda have actually increased in the past year, but currency changes offset any inflation, according to ECA International. In addition to everyday goods, EuroCost International estimates that the average expat pays more than $3,500 per month for a two-bedroom flat in Luanda.

4. Nagoya, Japan

Rank in 2009: 3

Food: Lunch at a restaurant: $19

Can of beer from grocer: $3.08

One kg of rice: $9.14

One dozen eggs: $3.33

Entertainment: Movie ticket: $20

Appliances: Washing machine: $621

Japan's fourth most populous city, Nagoya is also among the country's most expensive. The city ranks No. 1 for the cost of rice: $9.14 per kilogram, according to ECA International data. As Japan's auto hub, the Nagoya area is an important center of business: about 44 percent of automobiles produced in Japan are made here, according to the Greater Nagoya Initiative Center. Such companies as Toyota, Honda, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen, and General Motors have headquarters, manufacturing operations, or distribution points in the Nagoya region.

5. Yokohama, Japan

Rank in 2009: 4

Food: Lunch at a restaurant: $17.39

Can of beer from grocer: $3.26

One kg of rice: $6.54

One dozen eggs: $3.72

Entertainment: Movie ticket: $19.50

Appliances: Washing machine: $630

About half an hour by commuter train from Tokyo, this port city has active shipping, biotechnology, and semiconductor industries. Yokohama is one of the world's most expensive cities, but companies here enjoy lower operating costs compared with the nearby capital. Nissan opened a new headquarters in Yokohama this year and reportedly will sell its office in Tokyo to cut costs.